Aycock Rec. Center, Fox Pond Remain Closed; Most Outdoor Parks/Trails Open

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A statement from the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department:

Although NC Governor Roy Cooper issued a “soft opening” throughout the state, the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department will remain closed to the public at this time.

While the order does reference the opening of parks, it is recommended that additional precautions be taken for community gatherings and that playgrounds remain closed.

Recreation is our business and our responsibility, therefore we are keeping our parks and playground equipment “closed” but will continue to encourage you to utilize the walking trails and tracks we have to offer.

We are asking our Henderson-Vance community to continue to practice social distancing in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Below is a list of Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities and their status.

Closed:

  • Aycock Recreation Center
    • Aycock Aquatic Center
  • Old Aycock Gym – Indoor Facility
  • Fox Pond Park
  • All Satellite Sites
    • First Presbyterian Church
    • Vance County Senior Center
  • All Playground Equipment and Structures

Remaining Open:

  • All Outdoor Parks, Trails and Tracks (excluding Fox Pond Park)

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks will monitor the situation and make an assessment on when it is safe to reopen some or all of the affected facilities. Updates about facilities, classes/programs and events will be available on our social media platforms and website at http://ci.henderson.nc.us/departments/recreation_and_parks/.

HTI Turning Donated Laptops Into Chromebooks for Vance Co. Students

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

Do You Have Old Laptops You Could Donate?

Matt Raydo with HUBZone Technology Initiative (HTI) recently contacted the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce about collecting old/used laptops. Raydo’s organization converts old laptops into Google Chromebooks and donates them to those in need within Vance County schools.

HTI accepts laptops without cracked screens or missing keys. The laptop’s power cord is strongly preferred, but HTI will accept laptops without one.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, walk-ins are not accepted at this time, however, you can schedule a drop-off by email at info@hubzonetech.org or call Mark Williams at (919) 603-7303. Pick up can be arranged for multiple laptops.

For more information, please check out the HTI website at https://hubzonetech.org.

Click the play button below for a video on HTI’s mission:

Vance County Logo

Vance County Commissioners to Hold Budget Work Sessions May 12 & 13

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

Please be informed that the Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold budget work sessions on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

These sessions will be held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson.

Due to limited space for the public, links have been added to the Vance County website under “Latest News” so that people can listen in on the work sessions.

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen will be on WIZS TownTalk at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 14 to discuss the budget sessions. Listen live at 1450 AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wiz.com by clicking Listen Live.

H-V Emergency Operations

Latest Covid-19 Vance Co. Situation Report

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From Brian Short, director of Emergency Services for Hend-Vance Co

As of now, the total number of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Vance County has increased to 152. A total of 24 individuals have now been released from isolation and 11 more remain hospitalized. Of those 152 cases, 90 are associated with community spread, 49 are associated with Pelican Health of Henderson and 13 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing. Sadly, in Vance County 13 people have now died as a result of complications associated with Coronavirus.

It is still very likely that our cases will continue to increase over the days and weeks ahead. At this time our coordinated response posture remains the same and we are not altering our recommendations to the general public.

While mainstream media continues to have open discussions about “reopening the country”, we strongly encourage our citizens to continue to observe the social distancing parameters and closing orders being issued by the Governor and suggested by our local and state public health agencies.

Phase I of Governor Roy Cooper’s modified Stay At Home order (Executive Order 138) is now in place. Staying home is still the best way to continue to slow the spread of the virus and protect our families and neighbors. At the same time, we know we can’t we stay in our homes indefinitely.

Essentially, Phase I eases restrictions on travel, business operations and mass gatherings. Phase I allows any retail business to open at 50 percent capacity. Businesses will be required to practice social distancing, perform frequent cleanings, provide hand sanitizer when available, screen workers for symptoms, and take other measures to protect employees and customers.

People may now leave home to go to any business that is open. Certain businesses will remain closed during Phase I, including bars, personal care businesses, entertainment venues, and gyms. Restaurants may only continue to serve customers for drive-through, take-out and delivery.

NCDHHS

Food & Nutrition Services Participants Now Authorized for Online Grocery Purchases

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-Press Release, NCDHHS

As of May 6, 2020, North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) participants will be able to purchase groceries online using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at authorized online EBT retailers. North Carolina is the 10th state to implement this flexibility, which will remain permanently in place beyond the COVID-19 emergency.

The new flexibility will allow participants to buy food while also promoting social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and helping families with transportation and mobility barriers.

“People need to feed their families while also practicing social distancing,” said NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “This will allow families to order groceries at home and lower their risk of getting sick.”

Currently, Amazon and Walmart are the only authorized retailers approved for online FNS purchases nationally. The U.S. Department of Agriculture must approve other retailers who wish to participate in the FNS online purchasing program. NCDHHS encourages other EBT retailers to pursue USDA approval to become authorized online retailers.

All EBT retailers in North Carolina have received information from USDA about how to become approved for online FNS purchases and other retailers are encouraged to seek approval for online purchasing. More information for retailers is available on the USDA website.

More information about North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services can be found at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/food-nutrition-services-food-stamps.

North Carolina individuals and families can apply for FNS at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do

Noon News 05/08/20

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
WIZS, Henderson – Your Community Voice
Young female hides from juvenile assailants
Vance County Sheriff’s Office conducts an undercover operation to buy a large quantity of heroin on May 6
COVID 19 Statistics

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson City Council to Meet Mon., May 11

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

The Henderson City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 11, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave. in Henderson, NC.

Due to COVID-19 health mandates issued by Governor Cooper, the number of people allowed in Council Chambers will be limited for this meeting. Therefore, no citizens will be allowed in Council Chambers to observe or to make comments. However, members of the community are strongly encouraged to provide questions/comments for the Council in writing as follows:

Written Comments:

  1. Email written comments to emccrackin@ci.henderson.nc.us
  2. Emails received by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be read aloud at the meeting. Comments are limited to three minutes per person.

To listen to the meeting online:

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Agenda Items Include:

NEW BUSINESS

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-27, Authorizing an Application to the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant in the amount of $500,000 for Constructing and Developing a Diverse Multiuse Park on the Corner of William Street and Montgomery Street.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-36, Submission of an Application to the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) for a Grant in the Amount of $30,000 for the Construction of an Outdoor Fitness Court.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-34, Providing for the Disposition of Jointly Owned Properties by the City and County Identified as 904 and 912 Lamb Street, Recorded in Vance County Tax Deed Book 1245, Page 0276, Further Identified as PIN #0061 05003 and #0061 05002 Respectively.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-26, Providing for the Disposition of a Jointly Owned Property by the City and County Identified as 404 Whitten Avenue, Recorded in Vance County Tax Deed Book 1298, Page 0757, Further Identified as PIN #0098 04006.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-23, Street Resurfacing Project List for the Proposed Henderson Pavement Overlay Project 2020.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-28, Ground Lease at 3755 US 158 Business Hwy for a Replacement Communications Tower with USCOC of Greater North Carolina, LLC (US Cellular).

CONSENT AGENDA

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-25, Approving the Agreement Setting Forth the Roles, Responsibilities and Expectations for the Mayor, City Council Members and City Manager.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-37, Approving FY 20-21 Budget Review Calendar and Scheduling of Special Council Budget Work Sessions.

Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 20-15, Establishing Two Reserved Parking Spaces in the Orange Street Parking Lot for Visitors to the Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission Office.

Consideration of Approval of Ordinance 20-18, FY 20 BA #18, Landscaping and Installation of a Water Fountain Feature at the Traffic Island Located at the intersection of Charles Street and Garnett Street near the Downtown Railroad Overpass.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-29, Supporting the Acquisition and Development of the Rail Corridors Referred to as the S-Line and SA-line for the Benefits of Improved Passenger Rail, Freight Movement, Commuting Options and Local Economic Development.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-35, Rejecting Bid from H.G. Reynolds Company, Inc., for Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department Tennis Courts Renovation Project at Fox Pond Park.

Consideration of Approval of 1) Resolution 20-32, Purchasing a Replacement Vehicle and the Installing of Emergency Equipment and 2) Ordinance 20-19, FY 20 BA #19, Transferring $14,000 of State Tax Revenue to Police Capital Outlay (over $5,000) Budget Ordinance Police Dept.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-33, Ratifying the Submission of Two Applications to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for Obtaining an Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) for the Henderson Police Department.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-33, Submission of an Application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 20 Bulletproof Vest Grant Program for Obtaining Ballistic Body Armor for Police Officers.

Consideration of Approval of Resolution 20-30, Ratifying the Submission of Applications to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Fund Grant.

Consideration of Approval of Tax Releases and Refunds from Vance County for the Months of February and March 2020.

REPORTS

ADJOURNMENT

Click here to view previous and current Henderson City Council meeting agendas and minutes. 

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH COVID-19 Update: 17 Deaths in District, Three Congregate Living Outbreaks

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of May 7, 2020, there are 145 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 140 cases in Vance County, and 13,397 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are currently three outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC, one at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC, and one at Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.

Of the total positive cases in each county, 81 in Granville County are associated with the prison, 46 in Vance County are associated with Pelican Health nursing home, and 10 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

Of the 64 community-based cases in Granville County, 36 have been released from isolation and 58 of the 81 cases at the prisons have been released from isolation.

Of the 140 cases in Vance, 22 have been released from isolation and 12 are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 17 deaths in the health district – 11 in Vance County and six with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.

GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

Henderson Police Department

Young Girl Hides From Juvenile Assailants in E. Montgomery St. Break-In

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On Thursday, May 7, 2020, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Henderson Police were dispatched to 621 E. Montgomery Street in reference to a residential Breaking and Entering. The caller advised she was not at home, but her young daughter was and had called her.

Police were told that the young lady was hiding in a closet to escape the detection of the assailants.

Approximately ten police units arrived in less than two minutes of receiving the call. Officers surrounded the residence and found the point of entry, a rear window of the residence.

Officers gave commands for the assailants to surrender and were able to take them into custody without incident. Located were two juveniles, one sixteen (16) years old and the other fourteen (14) years old. Both were transported to the Henderson Police Department.

The young female was located safely inside her residence, unharmed. The mother arrived back home as she had left to retrieve breakfast for her daughter and had only been away for a few minutes prior to the incident.

Once at the Police Department, NC DPS – Juvenile Justice was contacted in an attempt to gain secure custody orders due to the severity of the crime. Petitions have been completed at this time; but under the direction of NC DPS – Juvenile Justice, the two juveniles were released into the custody of their mothers.

Two Arrested in ‘Large Sum’ Heroin Bust in Vance County

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, Patrol Division and Criminal Investigative Division conducted an undercover operation. A buy bust was conducted in the Vance County area for a large sum of Heroin.

Participating agencies in the investigation were Homeland Security Investigation and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Arrested during the investigation were Diquon Steven Alston, age 26, charged with three (3) counts of Trafficking Heroin and Conspiracy to Traffick Heroin and Saquan Javier Alexander, age 27,  charged with three (3) counts of Trafficking Heroin and Conspiracy to Traffick Heroin along with multiple traffic offenses.

Alston received a $285,000.00 bond; his court date was set for June 29, 2020. Alexander received a $385,000.00 bond; his court date was set for June 29, 2020.

This investigation is continuing.

Saquan Javier Alexander, age 27,  was arrested and charged with three (3) counts of Trafficking Heroin and Conspiracy to Traffick Heroin along with multiple traffic offenses. (VCSO photo)

Diquon Steven Alston, age 26, was arrested and charged with three (3) counts of Trafficking Heroin and Conspiracy to Traffick Heroin. (VCSO photo)